The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-13342 affects the Frontend Admin by DynamiApps plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 3.28.20. It stems from a missing authorization check (CWE-862) in the ActionOptions::run() save handler, which processes form submissions on the public frontend. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to submit specially crafted form data to modify arbitrary WordPress options without any capability validation. Critical options vulnerable to modification include users_can_register (which controls whether new users can register), default_role (which sets the default role for new users), and admin_email (which is used for administrative notifications). By altering these options, attackers can enable open registration, assign elevated privileges to new users, or redirect administrative communications, facilitating further compromise. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without authentication or user interaction, reflected in its CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no exploits have been publicly observed yet, the straightforward exploitation vector and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability make this a critical risk. The plugin’s widespread use in WordPress sites increases the attack surface, especially for organizations relying on this plugin for frontend administration. The lack of a patch at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate defensive measures to prevent exploitation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the security and stability of WordPress-based websites. Unauthorized modification of critical WordPress options can lead to unauthorized user registrations with elevated privileges, enabling attackers to gain administrative access and potentially compromise entire websites. Altering the admin_email option can redirect security alerts and password reset emails, facilitating stealthy account takeovers. This can result in data breaches, defacement, service disruption, and loss of customer trust. Organizations that rely on WordPress for e-commerce, customer portals, or public-facing services may face operational downtime and reputational damage. Additionally, compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations may be impacted if personal data is exposed or manipulated due to this vulnerability. The ease of exploitation without authentication increases the likelihood of automated attacks targeting vulnerable sites across Europe.

Immediate mitigation steps include disabling the Frontend Admin by DynamiApps plugin until a security patch is released. Organizations should monitor WordPress option changes, especially users_can_register, default_role, and admin_email, for unauthorized modifications. Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious POST requests targeting the plugin’s frontend forms. Restrict access to frontend administration forms using IP whitelisting or CAPTCHA challenges to reduce automated exploitation risk. Conduct thorough audits of user accounts and roles to identify and remove any unauthorized users or privilege escalations. Keep WordPress core and all plugins updated regularly, and subscribe to security advisories from DynamiApps and WordPress security communities. Consider deploying intrusion detection systems (IDS) to alert on anomalous configuration changes. Finally, educate site administrators on the risks and signs of compromise related to this vulnerability.